Line of Duty Deaths 1980-1989

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Officer Ignacio G. Conchos Detective John Davis

On July 1, 1982, Officer Ignacio G. Conchos #2853 and Detective John Davis #1841 were shot attempting to locate a bank robbery suspect inside a bar at 44 E. Southern Avenue. Both officers were wounded when the suspect started shooting inside the bar. Officer Conchos died that day. Detective Davis battled his injuries for over a month before succumbing to his wounds on August 6, 1982.

Officer Conchos had been selected by the Veterans of Foreign War Post 720 as Outstanding Policeman of the Year. Officer Conchos was 39 years old and had been on the department for seven years. He is survived by his wife and four children. His daughter, Yolanda, would later become an employee of the Phoenix Police Department.

Detective Davis was 48 years old and had been on the department for 12 years. He is survived by his wife and two children.

On January 29, 1984, Officer Kenneth E. Campbell #3973 died in an automobile collision while pursuing a speeding motorcyclist near 27th Avenue and Butler Road.

Officer Campbell was 28 years old and had been an officer for three years.

He is survived by his wife and young sons. Ken's brother and sister were also Phoenix officers.

On April 24, 1984, Officer Errol "Rusty" Hawkins #2417 was struck and killed by a passing vehicle on the I-17 Frontage Road one-half mile north of Happy Valley Road. Officer Hawkins, who was on foot, was conducting a nighttime undercover assignment at the time.

During his career, Officer Hawkins helped establish a hostage/barricade negotiations unit and was a negotiator in hostage situations.

Officer Hawkins was 34 years old and had been an officer for 12 years. He is survived by his wife and two children.

On May 4, 1984, Officer Robert L. Polmanteer #3549 was killed when his police motorcycle collided with a van at 3700 E. Thomas Road.

Officer Polmanteer was 37 years old and had been a police officer for fifteen years, five of which were with Phoenix.

He is survived by his wife and three children, including his daughter Charmane, who would later join the Phoenix Police Department.

On September 7, 1984, Officer Kevin W. Forsythe #3289 was struck and killed by a truck while directing traffic in the area of 7th Avenue and Maryland Avenue.

Officer Forsythe was 36 years old and had served with the department seven years. He is survived by his wife, son and stepson.

On November 17, 1984, Officer John Robertson #3127 was shot while working off-duty at the Six Pence Inn, located at 1624 N. Black Canyon Highway. Officer Robertson was in the parking lot questioning the suspect of a robbery of two truck drivers when the suspect shot him. Officer Robertson died two days later.

He was 31 years old and had been on the department for eight years.

He is survived by his wife and two sons.

On January 8, 1986, Officer Robert T. Fike #3281 was shot and killed as he stood beside his patrol car behind a Circle K at 11th Street and Indian School Road. Two citizens found Officer Fike lying beside his car and used his radio to request assistance.

A suspect, who had committed an armed robbery just before Officer Fike's murder, was arrested seven weeks later and charged with murder and armed robbery. The suspect was convicted of first degree murder and sentenced to life in prison.

Officer Fike was a former Phoenix Police Department Officer of the Year and had been employed with the department for ten years.

Officer Fike was 43 years old at the time of his death. He is survived by his wife and two young sons.

On May 27, 1988, Officer Kenneth L. Collings #3855 was fatally shot while working off-duty at a bank located at 2105 W. McDowell Road. Kenneth confronted two robbery suspects, one of which was able to shoot him and escape. Officer Collings died a few hours later. One suspect was arrested, while the other escaped to Mexico. The outstanding suspect was arrested by Mexican officials twelve years later after being wounded in a shoot out with police. The suspect was extradited to U.S., stood trial and was convicted.

Officer Collings was 32 years old and had been an officer for eight years. He is survived by his parents.

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